Paris motor show 2010: Maserati MC Stradale

Maserati has launched this hardcore version of the GranTurismo S at the Paris motor show. Called the GranTurismo MC Stradale, it will become the fastest, lightest and most powerful car in Maserati’s range, drawing its inspiration from the Trofeo GranTurismo MC and GT4 race cars.

Maserati says the car is in response to customer demands for a road-going GranTurismo that’s also suitable for track use. It incorporates “handling and aerodynamic lessons learned from Maserati’s three racing programmes”.

The MC Stradale is based on the GranTurismo S and gets a 444bhp version of that car’s 4.7-litre V8, up from the S’s 433bhp. Its top speed will break the 300km/h (186mph) barrier; the S maxes out at 295km/h (183mph). The S’s six-speed robotised manual gearbox is retained.

Maserati has not yet quoted a 0-62mph figure for the MC Stradale, but expect the car’s reduced weight and extra power over the S to help it achieve a time of around 4.5sec. The S gets to the same speed in 4.9sec. Despite the extra power, Maserati claims the MC Stradale’s fuel consumption is identical to the S’s.

Some muscular styling upgrades have been applied to the MC Stradale. Its revised front end includes a more pronounced grille and deeper bumper, while new side skirts also contribute to the car’s lower, more sporting stance. New lightweight alloy wheels feature, too.

At the rear, the MC Stradale gets a new bumper and diffuser design in the style of the Ferrari 430 Scuderia. Like that car, its twin central exhausts are mounted at the top of the diffuser. All the styling changes help to reduce aerodynamic drag and improve downforce.

Maserati says tweaks to the GranTurismo S’s chassis have also been made to improve the car’s agility and to produce “razor-sharp handling” without compromising ride quality.

The MC Stradale will be launched in the UK next spring. It will cost about £105,000, which is around 20 per cent higher than the S’s list price.

Because this is more than anything a way of boosting sales and reviving the whole Granturismo line-up. This is a business more than anything and if my info is correct times are not good for Maser sales. So anything counts. Also ... Maserati philosophy is not to make hardcore racers (no track time intended) but softcore cruisers and they are not seriously deviating from their credo. That is why they did not put serious effort. If you want performance there is Ferrari, if you want extravagance there is Lambo.

Even with a ferrari engine, i don't think they're allowed to make it perform the same as the ferrari. because why buy a ferrari when a maser offers the same perforemance at much cheaper? the maser would be more exclusive becuase there are less of them around. why can't an independant party buy maser from fiat and do justice to these stunning cars? the granturismo and quattroporte need a form of high perforemance to match their looks

Agreed. Although the Maser has an in house rival in the Ferrari California, they're both sufficiently different not to tread on each others toes (a bit like the VW Group's R8, Gallardo and 911). With Jag, Ferrari, Aston Martin, BMW and Merc all offering their rival GT products with around 500 Bhp or more the exquisite GranTurismo will always be shaded in performance terms.

Looks really good, but Ferrari have already used the Stradale name. Maybe instead of "MC Stradale", they should have called it the "MC Hammer"...
And anyway, it does seem a curious concept for a 'lightweight' sports car - the Granturismo an almost 5m long 4-seat luxury sports coupe based on the Quattroporte, FFS. Other than being a limited edition special that has probably been earmarked for current customers anyway, there doesn't seem to be a lot of point to it.

[quote JacobE]Still not enough power to compete[/quote]
I agree! Its achingly beautiful though, with a beautiful sounding, torqueless engine..
Its more of an expensive 650i/Merc SL500/Jag XK rather than there M, AMG and R competitors